The police have apprehended Vereeniging businessman Zaheer Asmal, who was kidnapped from his workplace last Friday.
Asmal is the proprietor of Fred’s Hardware in De Deur, south of Johannesburg. “The national crime intelligence anti-kidnapping task team has made yet another breakthrough in less than five days after a Vereeniging businessman, Zaheer Asmal, was kidnapped at his business premises on Friday morning,” said police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe.
Three suspects have been arrested for the kidnapping of Vereeniging businessman, Zaheer Asmal. Police and private security companies raided a house in Lenasia South at midnight and freed Asmal. The third suspect was arrested in Roodepoort. More arrests are expected. pic.twitter.com/XVV3c83I9b
She stated that shortly before midnight on Monday, the task force led a multi-disciplinary operation involving members of the special task force (STF), the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), and private security.
“The team swooped in at three identified addresses, one in Lenasia South where the victim was found unharmed. At this address, the police arrested the owner of the property, a 70-year-old Mozambican national,” said Mathe.
Police discovered a dark grey Toyota Hilux bakkie and fake registration number plates at the second address in Ennerdale, which were allegedly used in the crime. “One suspect, a Malawian national was arrested.
“When the police arrived at the third address in Roodepoort, the police were met with gunfire, (but) fortunately none of the task team members sustained any injuries. One suspect, a South African national was arrested. One unlicensed firearm was also seized.”
All three suspects are charged with kidnapping and robbery under aggravated circumstances. The South African national is also charged with possessing an unlicensed firearm and attempting to murder. “In the past week alone, the task team has arrested eight suspects linked to kidnappings where ransom demands were made,” said Mathe.